How To Build Cross-Platform Apps In 2023

Do you know that cross platform app reduces 30% - 40% of development cost?

If that’s not the reason for you to choose cross platform app development, then let’s find other reasons. 

Cross platform app development takes 2x less time than native apps. Not to forget the benefits like huge target audience, simple code maintenance, easy cloud integration and customization flexibility.

The rising app trend in the market is pushing businesses to build quality apps for their customers. While more and more businesses are jumping on the app development wagon, the cost for these services is touching the skies. 

It has become troublesome for startups to build their brand apps and establish themselves in the market. Developing native apps separately for iOS and Android is no longer the sustainable way. Moreover, the high maintenance costs, customization restrictions and coding complexity loom over native apps.

This is where cross platform app development comes as a blessing for companies. The benefits it offers enable businesses to build apps that resemble their vision more closely. 

Over 50% of businesses have at least one cross platform app in development. 

If you are also looking to build cross platform app and propel your business’s growth, we are here for you. Our team has years of experience and expertise in cross platform frameworks enabling us to build robust apps.

This guide will help you understand the basics of cross platform app development.

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What is a cross platform mobile app?

A cross platform mobile app is an application that functions smoothly on all operating systems like iOS and Android. These apps are built using a single codebase which makes its development faster and reduces the cost. 

It means that you don’t need to build apps with separate code for different platforms. You can write a single codebase that is compatible with all operating systems so that your app runs seamlessly on them.

Most commonly developers use frameworks like React Native or Flutter to build cross platform apps. 

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What Is a Cross Platform App Development?

As the name suggests, cross platform app development refers to the development of an app that functions on multiple operating systems.  

These apps are based on “build once, publish anywhere” approach. It is because the developers build a single codebase which you can repurpose for any platform.

They use programming language which is not native to just one platform. Instead, the architecture is diverse so the app is compatible with different mobile platforms. 

Unlike native apps where you are restricted to only a specific platform’s SDKs and libraries, cross platform framework gives you access to SDKs of different platforms.

But one thing that you need to understand is that cross platform apps are different from hybrid apps.

Hybrid apps are a combination of native and web solutions. While the cross platform apps are built for two or more OS using reusable codes with native UX/UI.

There is also something called Windows universal app which is compatible with all Windows devices.

Though native app development is still the preferred choice for companies due to its performance, cross platform apps are catching up. 

The reason businesses choose cross platform app development is because it's cheaper and less time consuming. But if you don’t want to compromise on performance and cut down costs, you can also go for no code native app development.

With no code app development tools, you don't need to build separate native apps. You can use the same input to build apps for different platforms. It is a kind of readymade solution that reduces the cost and time to market. However, no code app development solution also has its own pros and cons that you should consider before deciding anything.

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How Is Cross Platform App Different From Native Apps?

The approach for cross platform app and native app development is different. The programming language, framework and library used to build both app types are also different. That is why there is a substantial difference in the app's performance, usability and capabilities.

Let's have a look at the major differences between native apps and cross platform app development.

Benefits Of Developing Cross Platform App

Cross platform apps have several advantages over native apps. Here are some notable benefits of cross platform apps over native apps.

Low time to market

The code reusability nature of the cross platform app cuts down the development time. This enables businesses to build and launch apps in a shorter time frame.

Less development time

Do you know that you can use 80% of the original code for UI and backend logic?

Yes! Cross platform app development enables you to reuse or repurpose code to build apps for multiple platforms. This reduces the app development time by 20% to 30%.

Cost effective

Building separate apps for multiple platforms is expensive and time-consuming. Moreover, you won’t be generating any revenue until you launch your app.

So, the primary focus of companies is to reduce the development time and launch the app quickly. 

The best thing is that you can build cross platform apps at a fraction of the cost of native apps. This enables you to launch a bare minimum product in the market to test the audience.

Exposure to a wider customer base

In this tech-driven world, we do not only have smartphones. We also have smart TVs, smart home appliances, smartwatches and more. 

People don’t just use apps on their phones. They also use it on their smartwatches, smart TVs, tabs and laptops.

If you build cross platform app, you can expand your app’s reach and functionalities. Therefore helping you target an untapped wider customer base.

Simpler code maintenance

Having one code working across multiple platforms also means easy upgrades and maintenance. 

If you need to modify any element or upgrade features, you don’t need to do it separately for each platform.

You can run the updates on a single codebase and watch your app updating across all platforms.

Easy cloud integration

A single source code enables you to easily integrate and manage cloud plugins. Cross platform apps are built in a way that they support modern development methodologies like CD/CI, visualization, automation and other cloud based deployments. 

Moreover, you can also integrate DevOps and QAOps in the integral set-up for streamlined workflow.

Popular Cross Platform App Development Frameworks

A few years back, businesses had no choice but to build native apps. However, with the release of sophisticated frameworks, you can now build apps with high performance.

Here are some of the top cross platform app development frameworks.

Flutter:

Flutter, a framework owned by Google, is widely recognized for enabling creators to develop mobile, web, and desktop applications using a unified codebase. Developers utilize Google's Dart programming language to craft applications with Flutter, which provides all the necessary tools for creating high-quality cross-platform apps. Notable mobile apps built on Flutter include eBay, Google Pay, Alibaba, and more.

Ionic:

Ionic is an open-source UI toolkit that seamlessly combines native and web technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Developers leverage Ionic to construct both mobile and desktop applications, harnessing the capabilities of built-in device features through Cordova and Capacitor plugins. The framework includes its own Integrated Development Environment (IDE), streamlining the app development process. Well-known applications developed with Ionic include BBC Children and EA Games.

Xamarin:

Owned by Microsoft, Xamarin is an open-source cross-platform app development framework that utilizes the C# language and the .Net framework. It empowers the development of applications for Windows, Android, and iOS platforms and benefits from support from a global community of contributors and developers. Notable apps built using Xamarin include the Academy Members App (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) and Alaska Airlines.

Sencha:

Sencha stands out as a premier platform for creating enterprise-ready applications. Built on web technologies like HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS, it enables developers to construct data-rich cross-platform apps for both web and mobile platforms. Esteemed companies such as Search Engine Optimization Inc., Red Hat Inc., and Blackfriars Group turn to Sencha to achieve their software objectives.

React Native:

React Native is a renowned name in the development industry, rooted in Facebook's top-tier JavaScript library, React. It facilitates cross-platform development while ensuring a native look and feel for UI components. Developers can utilize JavaScript, Java, Swift, or C to craft their applications. Noteworthy apps developed with React Native include Skype, Shopify, and Bloomberg.
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How Can Ampcome Help You?

A survey report predicts that the mobile app market will grow at a CAGR of 20% from 2021 to 2014. Plus, another research shows that mobile app users will reach 292 million next year.

The market is booming with apps of all kinds. So, if you have a unique idea, it’s the best time to capitalize on it. 

Ampcome will help you turn your idea into a viable app for your target audience. Our commitment to excellence and quality is what motivates our clients to trust us. 

We align our solutions to your business requirements and goals so that we deliver beyond your expectations. Our business focussed and result-driven approach makes us the most trusted cross platform app development company.

If you are looking to hire Reach native developers or onboard a cross platform app development company, get in touch with our experts.